Del Papa Distributing hosting blood drive

Del Papa Distributing will host a blood drive from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Victoria South distribution center, 3907 E. Rio Grande St.

Del Papa is encouraging its employees as well as the general public to give blood and support area hospitals, according to a news release from the company.

Walk-ins are welcome and each blood donation to the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center will take an average of 30-60 minutes.

All donors will receive a thank you gift from Del Papa Distributing and the Blood Center.

The blood donated during Del Papa's First Quarter Blood Drive will benefit Victoria hospitals, according to the news release.

Del Papa has partnered with South Texas Blood and Tissue Center since 2002 to hold blood drives including their annual "This Blood's For You" event honoring first responders and remembering those who gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.